THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MAY BE USED OR DISCLOSED, AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
THIS NOTICE IS EFFECTIVE 12/12/02 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Right to Notice:
As a patient, you have the right to notice of the uses and disclosures of your protected health information. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA), Omni Vision Optometric Eye Care can use your protected health information for treatment and health care operations.
a) Treatment ? We may use or disclose your health information to a physician or other healthcare provider.
b) Payment ? We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you by Omni Vision Optometric Eye Care.
c) Health Care Operations ? We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations. Healthcare operations include: quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competency or qualifications of healthcare professionals, evaluating provider performance, conducting training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.

Your Authorization:
Most uses and disclosures that do not fall under the above categories will require your written authorization. Upon signing, you may revoke your authorization (in writing) through Omni Vision Optometric Eye Care at any time.

Emergency Situations:
In the event of your incapacity or an emergency situation, we will disclose your health information to a family member, or another person responsible for your care, using our professional judgment. We will only disclose health information that is directly relevant to the person?s involvement in your healthcare.

Marketing:
We will not use your health information for marketing communications without your written consent.

Required by Law:
We may use or disclose your health information when we are required to do so by law.

Abuse or Neglect:
We may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that you are a possible victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence; or if we believe that you are the victim of other crimes. We may disclose your health information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to your health, or the health or safety of other people.

National Security:
We may disclose your health information of Armed Forces personnel to military authorities under certain circumstances. We may disclose health information to authorized federal officials required for lawful intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities. We may disclose health information of patients or inmates to the appropriate authorities under certain circumstances.

Appointment Reminders:
We may use or disclose your health information to provide you with appointment reminders via phone, postal mail, or electronic mail.

Your Rights as a Patient:
You have the right to restrict the disclosure of your protected health information (in writing). The request for restriction may be denied if the information is required for treatment, payment, or health care operations.
-\tYou have the right to receive confidential communications regarding your protected health information.
-\tYou have the right to inspect and copy your protected health information.
-\tYou have the right to amend your protected health information.
-\tYou have the right to receive an account of disclosures of your protected health information.
-\tYou have the right to a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices from Omni Vision Optometric Eye Care.

Legal Requirements:
Omni Vision Optometric Eye Care is required by law to maintain the privacy of your protected health information. We are required to abide by the terms of this notice as it is currently stated, and reserve the right to change this notice. The policies in any new notice will not be in effect until they are posted to this site, or are available within our office.

Complaints:
If you have complaints regarding the way your protected health information was handled, you may submit a complaint in writing to our privacy officer. You will not be retaliated against in any manner for a complaint.

Contact Information:
For further information about Omni Vision Optometric Eye Care?s privacy policies, please contact: Deborah Trillo, Privacy Officer.

Please Note: This Notice of Privacy Practices is provided for informational purposes only. This Notice is not intended as legal advice, and is not provided for publication by any party.